Chapter 5 - DANIEL FINALLY TOLD ME WHY
Daniel came home after Noah was asleep.
He looked exhausted.
He dropped his keys into the bowl by the door, kissed my forehead, then went upstairs to check on our son.
When he returned, I was waiting in the kitchen.
“Who's Mercer?”
Daniel stopped.
That answered more than words could have.
“You talked to your father.”
“Mom.”
He pulled out a chair.
“Sit down.”
“I hate when people say that before telling me something.”
That almost made him smile.
Almost.
I sat.
Daniel folded his hands.
“Your father knows a company called Mercer Development.”
“Okay.”
“He's been trying to get involved with one of their projects.”
“What does that have to do with you?”
Daniel looked at me for a long moment.
Then he said, “More than Richard realizes.”
I waited.
He didn't elaborate.
I became irritated.
“Daniel, my father humiliated you in front of our child. I defended you without even knowing what I'm defending you from. You don't get to become mysterious now.”
“You're defending me because I'm your husband.”
“Yes.”
“And that's enough.”
“No. Not anymore.”
His expression softened.
He reached across the table.
“Emily, there are things about my work I've kept private because I wanted our marriage separate from them.”
“Why?”
“Because once people know certain things, relationships change.”
“My family already treats you terribly.”
“Exactly.”
I stared at him.
Then I understood.
“You wanted to know how they treated you when they thought you had nothing.”
Daniel didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
My stomach tightened.
“Does Dad need something from you?”
Daniel looked toward the stairs, making sure Noah wasn't awake.
Then he said quietly, “Your father needs something from people who answer to me.”
I stopped breathing for a second.
“What does that mean?”
May you like
Daniel stood.
“It means Thanksgiving is going to be uncomfortable.”
